Jonathan received a AAS in German from BYU-Idaho in 1987. In 1988 he received a BA in English from BYU, and in 1991 he received a JD in law from BYU.

Hafen has extensive experience in federal and state courts with employment litigation, patent infringement, securities law, breach of contract litigation, class actions, errors and omissions and disputes over ownership and control of businesses. Following his clerkship with the Honorable Monroe G. McKay of the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, he practiced for three years at the Chicago office of Sidley & Austin before joining Parr Brown in 1995.

Hafen has published and lectured widely on a variety of topics, including investment fraud, antitrust law, legal ethics, employment contracts, and litigation strategy. He has authored or co-authored articles appearing in The Harvard International Law Journal, St. John's Law Review, The Boston University Public Interest Law Journal, The BYU Law Review, and the Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy.

Hafen was recently recognized for his litigation experience in the 2010 editions of Benchmark Litigation and Best Lawyers in America. He was named one of the top general commercial litigation attorneys in Utah in the 2007-2008, and 2010 editions of Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers. He was also listed in the 2004-2010 editions of Utah Business magazine's "Legal Elite" and Mountain States Super Lawyers - 2007-2009 editions.

He is married to Joy M. Hafen, and their oldest daughter, Sarah, is a BYU student currently working at the Law School.